An impressive array of African music stars have confirmed attendance of the 2017 All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) Calendar unveiling event scheduled to hold in partnership with the African Union Commission and the ONE Campaign on Tuesday, May 2, at The Maslow Hotel, Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa.

The proceeding will feature a joint AUC-AFRIMA Cultural Conference on the theme “Enhancing the Creative Power of the African Youth”. A discussion forum to engage culture and music industries stakeholders and policy makers and for set agenda for the formulation of culture policies.

In a formal statement on the AFRIMA 2017 programme of activities, the Commissioner for Social Affairs, African Union, Her Excellency Ms. Amira Elfadil said that her office will work closely with AFRIMA in promoting the cultural and creative industries to provide meaningful contribution to the economic development of Africa.

“Proposing for the joint efforts for the popularization of AU policy instruments, such as the Charter for African Cultural Renaissance, the AU plan of Action on Cultural and Creative Industries, the African Union agenda 2063 Aspiration 05 on heritage and culture amongst others, through AFRIMA platform.

ONE in Africa, Executive Director, Ms Nachilala Nkombo, reiterated the global campaign organisation’s commitment to partner with AFRIMA, “We are delighted to continue working with AFRIMA and the African Union. In the past, ONE has collaborated with various artists to engage African citizens on issues that affects us collectively these have included food security, health, economic opportunity and gender. These artists have also used their voices to get the attention of our governments too. This year, ONE will use its partnership with AFRIMA and the AU to call on African governments to prioritise the demographic dividend recommendations focusing we have developed with our partners to seek urgent action on education, employment and empowerment for it rapidly growing youth population. We look forward to have Africa’s brightest musicians play a role on this agenda and be recognised for their social impact”.

AFRIMA is a music property developed to celebrate, reward and showcase the rich musical heritage of Africa. Stimulating conversations among Africans and between Africa and the rest of the globe, about the great potentials and values for the purpose of reducing poverty through job creation. AFRIMA seeks to promote the positive image of Africa to the world for global competitiveness.

Official event partners for the AFRIMA 2017 Event Calendar Unveiling are The African Union, ONE, The Maslow Hotel and Content Connect Africa.